For Immediate Release Monday August 27, 2012
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies group (SeVEDS) awarded federal planning grant
Plans Windham Region Economic Development Conference September 13
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) has been notified by the Vermont Federal Delegation that they have been awarded $75,000 in short term planning funds by the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. These funds will enable BDCC’s affiliate SeVEDS to undertake the creation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Southeastern Vermont.
The Windham Region CEDS will be a strategy document that reflects documented local economic development needs and priorities and will recommend a regional project approach to achieving sustainable economic development. A CEDS is required to qualify for Economic Development Administration assistance under its public works, economic adjustment, and most planning programs and is a prerequisite to designation by EDA as an Economic Development District (EDD).
Lisa Sullivan, recently elected chair of SeVEDS, says the timing of the grant award is helpful.
“SeVEDS is holding its first annual public meeting on September 13th from 4-6 at the Bellows Falls Theater, and a key component of our FY 13 work plan is to make significant progress towards completing the Windham Region CEDS. Now that we have this notification, we’ll be able to talk in more concrete terms about our process time frames and public involvement.”
Municipalities, businesses and non-profits are invited to hear more about SeVEDS, the upcoming CEDS process and how it will impact them on the 13th. Attendees are asked to rsvp for the SeVEDS annual meeting by contacting Laura Sibilia at the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (802) 257-7731 or emailing lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment. A networking reception from 6-7 will follow the meeting at Popolos Restaurant, newly reopened in the Bellows Falls Windham Hotel. More information on the federal CEDS program can be found at www.seveds.com
About SeVEDS:
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies, or SeVEDS, started in 2007 as a small group from across the Windham Region region looking to improve broadband and cell service. After many meetings it became painfully clear that the region’s core problem wasn’t lack of broadband, it was lack of economic development. After a year of working with Fairpoint’s economic development consultants Vital Economies, SeVEDS set preliminary goals and strategies, received matching 50K grants from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, incorporated as a legal non-profit affiliated with BDCC and established its first Board of Directors.
SeVEDS has just completed its first year, and approved a second year work plan. One of the largest goals for FY 2013 is completion of a federally recognized Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region.
About BDCC:
BDCC is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth throughout Southeastern Vermont. The primary objective of the BDCC is to create and retain a flourishing business community in the Windham Region that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all its residents. BDCC is affiliated with the State of Vermont as the certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) serving the greater Windham County area. BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont. In this capacity, BDCC serves the twenty-seven towns of Athens, Brattleboro, Brookline, Dover, Dummerston, Grafton, Guilford, Halifax, Jamaica, Londonderry, Marlboro, Newfane, Putney, Readsboro, Rockingham, Searsburg, Somerset, Stratton, Townshend, Vernon, Wardsboro, Westminster, Weston, Whitingham, Wilmington, Windham and Winhall.